Three Britons killed as hot-air balloon explodes at Luxor

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A talented couple from the world of art were among three Britons killed
yesterday in one of the worst hot air balloon accidents in history.

Joe Bampton, an antiques specialist who exhibited at the Royal Academy, and
his girlfriend, Zsuzsanna Gyetvai, 34, whose prints were showcased by the
Saatchi Gallery, died with 17 others as they took a dawn flight over the
Valley of the Kings.

Yvonne Rennie, a 48-year-old NHS worker, also died. Her husband, Michael, was
the sole tourist to survive. He is believed to have jumped from the basket
along with Mr Bampton and the Egyptian pilot.

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Crash victims Joe Bampton, Zsuzsanna Gyetvai and Yvonne Rennie

February 27 2013 HotSpot Media/fACEBOOK/Fraser Band

Crash victims Joe Bampton, Zsuzsanna Gyetvai and Yvonne Rennie

February 27 2013 HotSpot Media/fACEBOOK/Fraser Band

Michael Rennie after the accident

February 27 2013 Sky News

Michael and Yvonne Rennie

February 27 2013 HotSpot Media

The circled balloon takes off for its fatal flight

February 27 2013 Christopher Michel/Twitter

The doomed balloon just before take off

February 27 2013 Christopher Michel/AFP/Getty Images

The balloon (top) amongst others leaving the launch site

February 27 2013 Christopher Michel/AFP/Getty Images

The remains of the balloon after the explosion

February 27 2013 AFP/Getty Images

A gas tank ruptured and ignited on landing

February 27 2013 AFP/Getty Images

Rescue workers inspect the crash scene outside al-Dhabaa, just west of Luxor

February 27 2013 AP

Two passengers and the pilot jumped clear but were badly injured

February 27 2013 AFP/Getty Images

One of the 19 victims of the crash

February 27 2013 AP

Ambulance crew move the bodies of the victims

February 27 2013 Reuters

The body of one of the victims is carried to an ambulance

February 27 2013 Reuters

Another photo of the balloon in question by a photographer who was near by

February 27 2013 Christopher Michel/Twitter

Witnesses said the balloon climbed to a height of 400m before crashing to the ground

February 27 2013 Christopher Michel/Twitter

The balloon was one of many travelling over the ancient ruins of Luxor

February 27 2013 Christopher Michel/Twitter

A balloon near the Ramesseum temple on the west bank of Luxor

February 27 2013 Reuters

Balloon trips across the Valley of the Kings are a top attraction for Luxor tourists

February 27 2013 AFP/Getty

The previous such crash happened in 2009

February 27 2013 AFP/Getty Images

The Temple of Ramesses III in the Madinat Habu complex on the west bank of Luxor